Thame Talk Extra

DART SCORES A BULLSEYE!!

There aren’t too many occasions at Thame Runners that we can shout from the rooftops about our racing prowess. Ever since the heady days of the mid nineties and a certain Duncan Cooper, we have been unable to celebrate a significant race victory. Duncan, well over six feet tall and a racing snake figure to match was victorious in at least three half marathons; two at the now defunct Sonning Common race and then perhaps his finest hour, winning the Wycombe half marathon, defeating over 1000 other hopefuls and local big cheese, Alan Chilton of Handy Cross Runners in the process.

Now we have another hero in our midst; step forward Rob “the Dart” Dean. Many of us have witnessed Rob’s steady improvement over the last couple of years, performing with great panache at the Chiltern Cross Country League as well as a host of road race events from 5k. to half marathon.

In recent weeks he’s finished at the sharp end of the finishing order at both the Hanney 5 mile and Oxford half marathon races, but all this was just a rehearsal for his greatest running achievement to date. This came last Sunday (19th October) at the Frieth Hilly 10k and anyone who has competed in this friendly but formidable event will testify that navigating the ups and downs of this multi-terrain classic is no mean feat.

Speaking to Rob at training the following Wednesday evening, I asked him how the race unfolded. “I was feeling destroyed in the final mile but took a quick look round before the final climb and saw that I only had one St.Albans runner for company. I just had enough left and I realised he was pretty much running on empty as well.”

It must have felt great for Rob to cross the line in first place. Well done mate and well done to Thame Runners. It’s the first time a Thame vest has finished top of the pile. Let’s celebrate!